TWO Bury FC fans have been given football banning orders after a violent confrontation with other supporters in the town.

Alex Smith, aged 22, of Moss Close, Radcliffe and Lewis Lawrence, aged 18, of Barlow Close, Bury were given the orders on Friday at Manchester Magistrates Court.

The club has said it is working with police to ensure that such violent behaviour does not "tarnish" its reputation.

On Saturday, October 17 last year, the Shakers faced local rivals Rochdale at Gigg Lane before a number of Bury fans, including Smith and Lawrence, went to The Knowsley pub in the town centre.

While at the pub the pair became involved in violent confrontation with a number of other supporters.

Smith has been banned from attending all football fixtures for five years, with Lawrence banned for three years.

Police Constable Rob Smith of GMP’s Force Events Unit said: “There is absolutely no excuse for football violence and I hope these banning orders will send a clear message about the repercussions fans will face for engaging in this.

“We, along with Bury Football Club, take acts of football related violence and anti-social behaviour very seriously and we do not want fans that have their mind set on causing trouble attending matches and ruining the experience for others.”

Ian Kendall, Bury FC CEO, added: "We are working closely with the police to ensure that our reputation as a club is not tarnished by spectator behaviour.

"We currently have several travelling fans who are provoking issues at away games, which is subsequently having the reverse effect at our home games where away fans are now looking for retribution.

"It’s not a situation that sits comfortably with the directors and we are co-operating with the police to identify and prosecute offenders."